The initial greeting by the Cover boys' friends at the Main Gate was as it usually was, boisterous. But as the boys walked down the slight rise and they arrived at the Parking Coral the mood became a bit subdued. Mr. Wayne had followed the boys to the Parking Coral, but stayed in the background to observe how the boys would treat Kevin and Robert.
Mr. Ken greeted the parents, as he usually did, when they brought their boys over to The Cove. But today they wanted to talk about what they heard on the radio and television and/or read in the Sunday newspaper.
Mr. Ken told them the news reporters were also there to get his take on the same thing, and he asked them to listen to what they had to ask and see if his responses would satisfy their curiosity. They agreed.
"Mr. Thomas ... how will you handle the revelation that the parent, the father, of one of your foster boys essentially sold his son for ...ahhh, sex?" asked the reporter.
"There is nothing to handle. The father did that and luckily for the boy it didn't happen. My hired security men and the Sheriff's Deputies were prepared for those men that night, and the kidnapping, as you all know, did not occur. The boy will continue to live here until there is a disposition made on the parents," replied Mr. Ken.
"And speaking of the parents. Do you know what their status is?" asked another reporter.
"No. At this current time, I do not know their status. It has been a number of months since the boys visited their parents at the hospital," was Mr. Ken's response.
"And why is that?" asked a different reporter.
"You will have to ask Children's Protective Services about the status of the parents," quickly replied Mr. Ken.
"Mr. Thomas, were you aware that your adopted son knew Parker Parchsons, and if so when did you know?" asked another nosey news person.
"I learned that my son knew Mr. Parchsons after we took the twins to visit their parents down at BAMC in San Antonio. When I knew has no bearing," replied Mr. Ken.
"The son who testified said he knew the four men who tried to kidnap him and the other boys. Did he know his dad was going to try to kidnap them?" asked another reporter.
"No! Next question," was how Mr. Ken answered the reporter.
"What could your adopted son testify against Mr. Parchsons that the man would want to have the boy kidnapped?" asked a man with a microphone on his hand.
"If I recall correctly, the judge ruled he didn't have to answer that question in court and would only have to answer if and when Parker Parchsons was ever taken to trial. I guess we'll all have to wait until then," said Mr. Ken with a smirk.
"Didn't you ever wonder what it could be, Mr. Thomas?" followed up the man with the microphone.
"Sometimes it is best to not ask the question, so you don't know the answer for when other people think they need to know it and ask you," replied Mr. Ken, with a smirk.
"Did you know Parker Parchsons has been arrested, down in Bandera County, Mr. Thomas?" asked another reporter.
"Yes, I did," replied the boys foster dad.
"Doesn't that concern you?" was the quick follow-up question.
"Not sure why it should. The boys had nothing to do with that arrest, as they were living with me at the time. We will let the courts decide if the boys will be needed to testify, and, if so, we will comply with any requests from them," was how Mr. Ken phrased his response.
Mr. Ken then told those gathered in front of the Main Gate that he was just as surprised as anyone at what was revealed during the trial, and at Julian Hankers' demise, as they were. He also told them that some of what the boys said in court was new to him as well.
Mr. Ken added that being the foster dad doesn't mean he has full, unfettered access to what the boys know, and has to rely on them to offer information up to him, otherwise he is as in the dark as anyone else would be. He did recommend to the reporters they talk to CPS to see if they could add any other pertinent information.
It was then Mr. Ken ended the interview by saying, "The vast majority of the boys and girls in the CPS system are there for reasons not of their own doing. They find themselves in situations that necessitate they be placed with foster parents for periods of time. That is the case with all of my foster boys. Sometimes these foster children feel embarrassed by those circumstances and ... and they just don't want to talk about them with their foster parents.
"The Parchsons' twins came to me because of that horrific accident they were in just as school began last September. It wasn't until recently that what was revealed in court came to light. Please give the boys their space and let this play out before you come to any conclusions. Thank you."
As Mr. Ken began to walk back inside the estate, he invited the parents inside with him, so he could answer any of their questions they may still have. The reporters asked why they couldn't come in and listen in to their exchange. All Mr. Ken did was smile back at them, as he had the guards close the gate after the last of the parents entered the estate.
The parents actually thanked the man for what sounded like open and honest answers as he did not avoid any of the reporters' questions. Some of the parents told Mr. Ken they hoped the boys wouldn't be affected by the unwanted notoriety of the trial, and what it revealed.
Mr. Ken told them they could help him by asking anyone who asks them about the boys to wait and see what the outcome will be, after the courts are finished with all the trials. He asked them to let the boys move on with their lives, and he reminded them that it was their father that made this mess for them, not the boys themselves.
The parents agreed to that simple request and then they all left the estate.
Down in the Parking Coral the boys were asking Kevin and Robert questions about what they heard on the television that morning. Most of the questions centered on what was revealed in court about the $5000.00 Julian paid the twin's dad and Robert knowing Parker Parchsons.
Billy's friends were equally interested in knowing what was said in court and if Robert knew the twins before they came to The Cove, and why nothing was ever said until the trial. Billy told his friends that much of all of his 'brothers' stories were never told as it might be embarrassing to them, or it wasn't something that needed to be known.
The boys persisted and wanted to know why Kevin knew those four men who tried to kidnap them and Kyle didn't. They also wanted to know why Robert knew the twin's dad, but never said anything.
Kevin told the gathered boys that he and his dad would go places on Sundays, and that's when he met Julian Hankers and the other three men, but he only knew them by other names. He told them Kyle never went with him and his dad, and that's why Kyle never knew the men that tried to kidnap them.
Kevin told the boys that after the accident, he didn't get to see nor talk to his parents all that much. He also told them he didn't know his dad would want them taken away from The Cove, nor why he would want them kidnapped. He told them he was just as surprised at that big truck coming at them as the other boys were.
Robert told them what he told the court. He explained that his dad knew Parker Parchsons, and he had met the man, through his dad, but had never met the twins. He told the boys that the only reason he could think Mr. Parchsons would want him kidnapped was that his dad had some illegal business dealings with the man and his dad was now in jail because of them. He added that Parker Parchsons might be afraid he knew about those dealings and wouldn't want him to testify about them.
Kevin's friends continued to ask him about what he knew about the $5000.00 that was reportedly paid to his dad, so that the dead man could have sex with him.
Kevin told the gathered boys, "Look, when I heard what that man said ... in court ... I couldn't believe it, either. That was the first time I ever heard that Julian ... that he worked with my dad to get control ... to get control of me and my brother by using some kind of fake papers. Something he called a power of attorney; I think he called it.
"Anyway, he came to The Cove one night and he and Mr. Ken had a big argument up at the Main Gate. He came here and tried to get Kyle and me to go with him and Mr. Ken ... he wouldn't let us go with him. I told him I would rather run away than have to go with him.
"Then, that man, Stanley something, said that Julian paid my dad $5000.00. I couldn't believe that either. My own dad. I couldn't believe he would sell me to Julian, or anybody else, for any amount of money. What was I to think? When I got home, after the trial that day, I went up to my room and cried that my dad would do that to me and my brother.
"All of that was new to me and Kyle and everyone else!" finished Kevin
Kyle then spoke up. "Look ... so what that my brother knew Julian and he gave our dad some money to have sex with Kev. It never happened, did it? And Kev ... he never knew about it until that man told about it in court the other day
"So, what's the difference between last weekend and today? Nothing, I tell you! Nothing! Kevin is still the same friend you knew then and know today. Nothing has changed except that you know a little more about him than you did on Friday at school.
"Now, as for us knowing Robert, I know I never met him. We had to be about eight back when our 'brother' met our dad. And, I never heard our parents ever talk about knowing a family called the Harrison's.
"Kev and I are still the same boys you got to know when we first began to live here last September. It's just that you've gotten to know more about us that even we didn't know about until the trial last week. We began living here because of what happened to us during that accident.
"Since then things have happened to our parents that we have no control over, and we just learned about it ourselves. As our 'dad' sort of says, 'Kids are in the CPS system because of what their parents did, not necessarily what the kids have done'," argued Kyle.
"Kyle's right," said Billy, as he stepped forward. "Kevin didn't ask his dad to sell him to that Julian guy, and since he didn't know his dad did that, I bet ... I bet he didn't see any part of that money, either.
"Come on now. Kevin and Kyle ... they've been your friends for what, nine months now, and all of a sudden you learn something new, different, out of the ordinary, weird and crazy about one of them and you what ... question your friendship.
"I sure hope not! As Kyle said, nothing has changed from Friday at school until this morning after what you heard on the TV, or read in the newspapers. It was their dad and his associates that caused all this to happen to the twins, not them!
"All of us fosters kids ... we are here because of something that happened in our families. Some of you know parts of our stories and some of you ... some of you may know a little more than others, but ... but you may never know all of our story. And that's because ... because it may be very embarrassing to us to tell you first hand. Now, do you have any more questions?" asked Billy, hoping the boys were satisfied with what Kevin and Robert told them.
"I just don't get it," began Kaden, "Kevin and Kyle ... they are in an accident and their parents ... they have to spend a long time in the hospital, so the twins come to live here at The Cove where Robert lives. But Robert ... he never tells anyone he knows their dad until it comes out in court. I mean ... doesn't that ... doesn't that seem strange to anyone but ... but me?"
The boys looked around at one another not knowing what to think about what the older teenager just said. They began talking amongst themselves to hear what they each had to say.
But Logan spoke up and said, "No, I don't think it is strange at all. What good does it do for people to know that Robert knew the twins' dad? What could they do about it? Robert only knew the dad, but he never met the twins, so how was he to put them together right after they began to live here. And even now, what about it? It doesn't change a thing!
"They are living at The Cove. They were before the trial and still are after the trial. They were 'brothers' before the trial and still are 'brothers' after the trial. This whole thing is stupid. We all, and I mean we ALL have 'skeletons' in our closets that we'd be embarrassed over if they ever came out, or were known to our friends, and heaven forbid, our parents.
"Now, as for me, I say we drop this. Remember ... back when we learned that Robert's mom and dad ... that they were in jail? Some of you ... some of you treated Robert as if he was guilty and not his parents. I see this as the same thing.
"And now ... just like then, you have a decision to make. You are either both Kevin and Robert's friend, or you are not. And if you are not, then you need to take your things out of your locker and leave The Cove and never come back. And, I think that includes next Saturday for the Memorial Day Picnic."
Logan looked around at the boys and then directly at Kaden.
Wayne Mitchell, The Cove's Estate Master, watched and listened to everything that happened in the Parking Coral and was very surprised at Logan's stance. He was pleased Billy stood up for his 'brothers', but Logan's position was more of a challenge to the boys, and Kaden in particular. It was as if Logan didn't care for the older teen, and was saying so by looking directly at him as he spoke.
Mr. Ken came up to Mr. Wayne just then and asked him to tell him what he observed. Mr. Wayne was startled at first by the man coming up to him like that, and then he told his employer what the boys talked about and what Billy and Logan had to say.
Mr. Ken asked if any decision had been made. Wayne told him that was what the boys had to decide. They had to accept Kevin and Robert and what they told them, or clean out their locker and never come back.
That caught Mr. Ken off guard and he asked Wayne to explain that to him again. Mr. Wayne told him Logan gave the boys the same alternatives he gave them back when they all found out Robert's parents were in prison. He told them they were either both Kevin and Kyle's friends, or they weren't, and if they weren't to clear out their lockers and not come back.
"Yes, Logan is one to speak his mind," quipped Mr. Ken. "Has anyone decided to clear out his locker?" asked a smiling Mr. Ken.
The men decided to walk over to the boys and find out how they felt about what they learned about Kevin and Robert.
"Boys ... did you get all your questions answered?" asked Mr. Ken.
The boys looked around at one another to see if anyone was going to say anything. It was Kaden, again, who spoke up.
"Well, Mr. Ken, it does seem a bit odd that the twins ... well, they were sent to live here while their parents recovered from their injuries from the accident and Robert ... and that Robert didn't say anything to anyone, that he knew their dad, don't you think?" said Kaden.
"Well, I guess when you look at it from the standpoint of just learning that Robert knew the twin's dad, then ... then I guess it would seem odd. But who says he never told anyone? Just because he never told you, or any of the other boys, doesn't mean I didn't know. Or, other people didn't know.
"Those of you who have been coming over here the longest know that the reason why the boys are living here is not something that they, or I, talk about. There is no reason for you to know the circumstances that brought them here, although some of you probably know some of it after getting to know them.
"It is my belief that your knowing doesn't do them any favors, and with some of the way your classmates operate I know they would use that information to cause problems at school for them.
"It was unfortunate that the information about the twins came out the way it did. But please remember, that Kevin and Kyle ... that they had nothing to do with what their dad did. And why he wanted them and Robert kidnapped is still open to speculation.
"As for Robert knowing their dad, it was through his own biological father that he met the man, but he never met the twins. Otherwise, Kevin and Kyle would have said something when they first met him at the hospital the night, we went over to meet them before they came to live here.
"It came out in the trial that Mr. Parchsons and those four men conspired to kidnap the twins and Robert for some nefarious reason that was never revealed. And we will probably never know now that Julian Hankers is dead and the three other men took a plea bargain," finished Mr. Ken.
"But won't Mr. Parchsons go on trial and we could find out then? I thought they said he'd been arrested and was in jail down in Bandera County," followed up Kaden.
'Yes, he had been arrested, but I don't remember exactly for what. Money laundering comes to mind and banking and wire fraud might also have been mentioned. Be that as it may, they have nothing to do with Kevin, Kyle or Robert. Now, does anyone have any more questions?" asked Mr. Ken.
Again, the boys looked around at one another. This time, Kaden kept his mouth shut.
When there were no more questions, Mr. Ken asked the boys if they remembered to bring back their signed release forms. Many of the boys said they had them up in their lockers, so Mr. Ken asked them to go get them. A few said they forgot the release forms and the owner of The Cove asked them to give them to their Cover friend at school tomorrow, or they could bring them with them next Saturday.
After asking about the release forms, Mr. Ken told the boys that Mr. Chris would need a copy of their Texas Boater Safety Course completion certificate. The man explained his insurance company was requiring him to have a copy on file of those who are using the personal water craft, otherwise known as the WaveRunners. He told them to either bring a copy next weekend or email it to him using the email address he used to send the picnic invitation. The boys said they would.
"And speaking of next Saturday, there will be a short Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony before I open the Cove Skate Park for you to enjoy. And remember to tell your parents to bring their lawn chairs if they want a soft seat for the day.
"The picnic will last all day and I mean all day. The lights do work, as I am sure you have already heard. There will be the standard hot dogs and hamburgers and all their fixings, along with potato salad, coleslaw and baked beans and drinks of course.
"Nathan and Owen and their boys will be here along with a few new faces. I did invite the Sheriff Deputies who are on duty that day to stop by during their shift for a bite to eat. And a few of the Police Explorers will be here to help with parking the cars on the lawns as they do for the Holiday parties. And I'll let them use the skate park when they have some free time.
"And after next Saturday's Picnic you guys will now hold your barbeques up in the Pavilion. During the week, Momma Maria will buy more of the picnic supplies and the boys will take them up there and store everything. It might take a few barbeques for you to get into a routine and you figure out you need an additional item or two. You also will need to watch your supplies and let Momma know when you begin to run low. More about that later.
"Oh, and boys, after you start using the new skate park, I would appreciate it if you could take some time and take the old ramps apart. It doesn't have to be right away, but eventually I would like my Parking Coral back," laughed Mr. Ken.
"Save the screws and the better wood parts and Robert can show you where to store them in the shed. The electric screwdrivers and wrenches will be in the garage and Robert, Charles and Bill can get them for you when you're ready to attack that task. Go have fun, and I'll see you later when it is time to eat," finished up Mr. Ken, who then walked into the house with Mr. Wayne following quickly behind.
"So, he wants us to take the ramps apart after we start using the new skate park?" said a flippant Kaden.
"Sure, why not?" replied Brad. "He asked and he didn't tell us to do it right away. I'd say if we work at it for a half hour, or so, at a time, once school is out, we can have them all taken apart by the end of June."
"Why do you think it will take us that long?" asked Mason.
"Well, Robert, Charles and the rest of the Covers will be gone for at least ten days once school is out, and we won't be able to come over to skate or work taking the ramps apart," answered Brad.
"But we'll be taking our sailing lessons for six days after school is over, so you could use that time," offered Matthew.
"Yea, we could, but ... I'll bet we'll all want to enjoy the new skate park for as long as we can knowing you guys are going away for ten days. Then, when you come back, we can start dismantling the old ramps," spoke up Logan.
"Who all is taking the sailing lessons?" asked Cooper.
Matthew told him that he was and so was Ryan, Brant, Noah, Greg, Aaron and Max.
"Well, I told Charles I would like to when he asked if any of us would like to take them with him. Hey, who else of Charles' friends wants to take sailing lessons?" asked Cooper.
Hunter said he talked to his parents, but they hadn't told him yes or no, yet. David also said he talked to his parents, but hadn't bothered them about it lately. Brad, who is Robert's friend, said he would like to learn to sail, but he wasn't sure if his parents would pay for his brother and him. Cooper told them all to ask their parents again when they got home tonight and tell Charles tomorrow at school.
Charles smiled at Cooper taking the initiative with the sailing lessons, as he'd totally forgotten all about them with the trial taking the forefront of his attention the past two weeks. The Cover did add that he needed at least two of his friends to join him in order for him to take the sailing lessons, but no more than four people could join him, and he probably needed to tell his dad soon, so they can finalize the instructors.
Inside, Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne talked about the turn of events Julian Hankers death had brought. The discussion centered around what would happen with the boys moving forward now that some of their story had gotten out and what would happen once Parker Parchsons went on trial and what he would be tried for.
All they could do was speculate, for now, and play the 'What if' game. Mr. Ken said he'd try to get a hold of Detective Joel Carrier and find out what the Bandera County DA had planned to try Parker on and the other men they arrested. He said he'd also try to learn Vivian Parchsons fate, as well, so he can try to plan the twin's future. He made a note on his calendar
Mr. Wayne then asked his employer if he knew any more about Matthew's mom's situation and her possible trial date. Mr. Ken said that he didn't, but that he probably needed to as it could affect all the boy's summer. The foster dad recalled the woman was arrested just before the Holidays and with her being considered as an accomplice in the attempted armored car heist she could be facing multiple trials that summer. The man made another note on his calendar.
As the other boys skated, Billy and his friends went back to the dock to talk. Gabe and Jamie asked Billy if he ever asked Mr. Ken if their brothers could continue to come over to The Cove after the Memorial Day Picnic. Billy was honest with them and told them he hadn't.
Billy told his friends that Mr. Ken had been extremely busy with his 'brothers' getting ready to testify and with getting the skate park ready for the Memorial Day Picnic. The Cover said there hadn't been a good time to talk to him and he will, but wouldn't commit to when.
Since Billy had some of his summer already planned out, the other teens talked about what they had hoped they would get to do. None of them had any other major vacation plans like Billy had, but they all said they hoped they'd get to go down to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, at least once, during the summer and have some fun.
The next thing they talked about was when they all turned sixteen and what type of job they'd all like to get. With none of them having any type of skill, they all knew the only kind of job they'd likely get would be at a fast food restaurant.
Billy told them that Mr. Ken was opening an ice cream store at Four Corners pretty soon, and was looking to build a marina on the lake side at Four Corners within two years. Kaden said that wasn't going to help them now, and everyone laughed.
The day had moved on and soon it was time to burn some burgers and dogs. The teens saw the activity up on the Patio, so they went up to see what they could do to help. Robert told Billy to go inside and get their 'dad' and Mr. Wayne. Billy and Brett went inside to get the men.
"You guys did a great job of burning the burgers," laughed Mr. Ken, when he got one to place on his bun. "I wonder if your cooking skills will improve any with the new grill. I sure hope so!" deadpanned the man. All the boys chuckled or laughed.
While the boys ate, some came over to Mr. Ken and asked him about the new grill and if he was going to be there to show them how to use it. They told him it looked totally different than the one they've been using, and they didn't want to mess it up by doing something wrong.
Mr. Wayne spoke up and said he'd be there for sure and would hope Mr. Ken would be there as well, so they all learned the correct way to light the new grill and cook on it. The Estate Master told the boys that the first few times they cook on the new grill the burgers and dogs might not taste as good as they remember, because the new grill hadn't yet been 'seasoned'.
Mr. Wayne told the boys to go and look at the grates of the old grill. He told them to notice how they are coated with a layer of old burnt grease and charring. He explained that until the new grates get that seasoning, they might wonder why the burgers and dogs don't taste as good.
The man told them they still had to properly clean the grill and grates because if they don't, they could all get sick. Then, it would take a few cooking's for the grids to take on that wonderful flavor they now had.
The boys thanked Mr. Wayne for telling them that as they would have never thought of that if the burgers and hot dogs didn't taste as good as what they had now. They asked if they would have to go down to the house for anything. Mr. Ken took that question and said by the end of the week, the boys should have moved all the picnic supplies up to the storage closet.
"Mr. Ken, will there be an ice machine?" asked Eli.
"Yes, there will be an ice machine, but it won't be as big as the one out in the garage. That one was bought especially for my parties, whereas the Pavilion one should be large enough for your barbecues. There will also be a chest style freezer and stand-up refrigerator installed this week, along with the restaurant shelving to hold the burger and hotdog buns, knives, forks, spoons, plates, napkins, sodas and whatever else you need.
"You've all seen what's up there and after Saturday, that will be your new hangout from then on. I told you before that you will all be responsible for keeping the place clean and orderly. We'll talk more about that over time. When you come over, after Saturday, you can go directly to the Pavilion where you have your lockers, bike racks, restrooms, and of course your skate park. Please keep it clean," finished Mr. Ken.
Mr. Ken then looked at the time and said it was too late for them to swim, and they should go and enjoy their last rides on the old ramps, because after today they won't get the chance to use them again. All the boys laughed at the man's attempt at humor.
Boys were chosen to take down the barbeque and put everything away, while the rest of the boys headed out to the Parking Corral to skate one last time on the old ramps.
While the younger boys walked to the parking Corral, Billy pulled Mr. Ken aside. "Mr. Ken," began Billy, "ahh, Gabe and Jamie ... ahh, they asked me if their brothers, ahh, if their brothers would still be able to come over, you know, come over after the picnic? I told them I wasn't sure, but ... but since you were the one who invited them, and not my 'brothers', I figured you have to be here for them to come back, right?" said Billy, to sort of explain his reasoning.
Mr. Ken chuckled at hearing what Billy had to say, and he was glad the teenager had pulled him away from everyone else to ask him that interesting question.
"Billy, I never thought about it that way. The boys, your 'brothers', were always the ones who invited their friends over to skate and as long as their friends didn't cause trouble they were allowed to continue to return.
"Now, that I've invited some younger boys over, I guess ... well, I guess I am their sponsor, huh. And, if I'm here they should be allowed to come back, too, if that is what I am hearing that you are saying, Bill," chuckled Mr. Ken. "Wow, with that said, what am I going to do with Luke and Toby," now outwardly laughed Mr. Ken.
"Bill ... let me think on this for a while. And, maybe I need to bring this up at our meeting in the Study, later," added Mr. Ken.
"Oh, and that other question that came up that you really hadn't answered was about Gabe and Jamie coming over when I wasn't here, but their brothers were, like when we're on my 3-day trip," asked Billy.
"Billy, we definitely need to talk to your 'brothers', now. Let's catch up with everyone and when we're out to dinner maybe we can start the discussion then," said Mr. Ken.
Billy's friends asked him why he and his foster dad didn't come with them right away. Billy told them they had to clarify a few things and at The Cove they never talk about private things in front of company. Kaden asked if that meant they were talking about them. Billy smiled and said not all of the time, and left it at that. The other four teens snickered behind Kaden's back.
When it was close to 5 p.m., the boys headed up to their locker to put their skateboard away. The Cover boys got the keys to the golf carts and began to drive their friends up to the Pavilion. The ones who didn't get a ride right away began to walk over the now cut field and up to the new structure.
After the boys put their stuff away, they all headed over to the Main Gate to wait for their parents. The boys who rode their bikes continued on their way home.
The boys who'd forgotten to bring their signed release forms had called home to ask their parents to bring them with them when they came to pick them up. Some boys also called home for the parents to bring over a copy of the Texas Boater Safety Course certificate, which Mr. Ken happily accepted.
There were still a few release forms and boater course completion certificates missing, and the boys said they'd bring them to school tomorrow and give them to their Cover friend. Then before long the Main Gate was devoid of parents and their sons and the Covers were headed out to dinner.
Comments are encouraged and appreciated. Just use the email address listed at the top of the page.